IKURRAQ - Rankin Inlet Food Bank

Ikurraq food bank opened its doors in 1995 and has been serving the community for well over 20 years. Several members of the Anglican Church and community wanted to offer a little “step up” for those who were finding it difficult to feed their families. The Anglican Church offered the space and helps by paying the fuel bills. However, after several years the community began to take on more and more of Ikurraq responsibilities and now is referred to as a community based food bank. It is also supported by the attached Deacon's Cupboard thrift store. The store operates on Saturdays, selling donated household items, and the proceeds are used to stock the food bank shelves.

The Food bank was never meant to help subsidise people’s income - it is only meant to give community members an opportunity to acquire food when the pay check or income support did not quite stretch to the next pay day or check. The food bank aims to provide the makings for two bannocks, some tea with sugar, two breakfasts, two lunches and a supper meal. When more is on the shelves they try to be more generous. When little on the shelves they try to fill bags with enough basics to hold them over for a couple of meals.

The first picture is an example of what a family of five might expect to get when the cupboard is full to give them a “step up” for that week. The second picture shows items that have also been included when the shelves are full.



In February 2015 the Food Bank served 15-20 families per week.
In total over the past 6 months 40 different families have at some point benefited from Ikurraq Food Bank. Most families consist of anywhere from 2 to 10 members in the house hold. With that in mind they serve anywhere from 65 people to 100 people in a month.

The high cost of food in Canada's North plus a high rate of unemployment, means families sometimes have trouble buying enough groceries. This is especially true through the long winters when hunting/fishing slows down.

The $12,000 goal was set to accomodate the needs of the families supported by the food bank for an entire year with a little extra for the harsher winter months. Every dollar raised for this cause is greatly appreciated. 

The money raised here will be used by Adrienne & Bobby Essex to purchase groceries for the Rankin Inlet food bank.